ESPN's website is reporting that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has congratulated Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen for leading his team to the playoffs -- and is pulling for the southsiders over the beantown hometeam. Stats so far: Sox 1, Boston 0.

Associated Press, via ESPN

October 3, 2005: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez congratulated Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen for leading his team to the playoffs.

Chavez spoke to Guillen, who's from Venezuela, by phone Sunday during his weekly program on state-run television and radio, "Hello President."

"Congratulations, Oswaldo. All of us here in Venezuela are so proud of you," Chavez said in their live conversation, broadcast nationwide in the South American country.

Guillen, the first Venezuelan manager in the majors, said his spirits were raised when his team won AL Central.

"Now I want to win more than ever," said Guillen, whose team hosts the Boston Red Sox in the opener of the first-round series Tuesday in Chicago.

Chavez, who said he once dreamed of pitching in the major leagues, told Guillen he has always been an example to follow.

"We are with you, always following your success," Chavez said. "And we'll be waiting for you when you come back, hopefully as world champion."

Come on guys. I'm sorry that the Red Sox lost, but they're done far better in the last 87 years than the White Sox--whose last pennant was in 1959 and whose last World Series was in 1917. Let the Chicago fans enjoy ourselves!